The week ahead: Inflation springing forward?

This week, market watchers will be awaiting the release of the February consumer price index after last week's strong jobs report. No matter what the magic number is, it seems likely that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates where they are when the Federal Open Market Committee meets later this month.

Spring breakers and defined contribution plan leaders are road-tripping to Florida this week, the latter for Pensions & Investments' DC East conference in Orlando, featuring speakers including the Labor Department's Ali Khawar and retirement expert Anne Lester. There may even be beer pong …

• The U.S. consumer price index for February will comes out March 12.
• The auction for the 10-year note will be held March 12.
• On March 13, the 30-year bond auction will take place.
• Core retail sales data for February will be reported March 14.
• Initial jobless claims are scheduled to be released March 14.
• The producer price index for February will be reported March 14.
• Retail sales for February will come out March 14.

• The Kentucky County Employees' Retirement System pension board will meet March 11.
• On March 13, the San Francisco City & County Employees' Retirement System will meet.
• Pension & Investments' annual Defined Contribution East conference will be held March 10-12.

• German CPI for February will be reported March 12.
• U.K. Financial Conduct Authority CEO Nikhil Rathi will speak at the J.P. Morgan Pensions & Savings Symposium on March 12.
• U.K. gross domestic product for January will be announced March 13.

• Japan fourth-quarter gross domestic product numbers were scheduled to be released March 10.